Chapter 322: Xiao Yan: I've Always Lived in Lu Bu's Shadow!
In the serene Saint Dan Mountain Range, Lu Bu stood by the window of his estate. With his elbows resting on the windowsill and his body slightly leaning forward, his unfocused gaze stretched out across the vast, lush forest that spanned endlessly into the horizon. His thoughts seemed to wander into the distance, as if caught in a daydream.
This estate was nestled deep within the Saint Dan Mountain Range, with no neighbors nearby. The entire peak belonged solely to him, Lu Bu. Only Dou Zun level eighth tier alchemists, or their disciples and close associates, could live in this area. However, most alchemists were notoriously eccentric, preferring solitude and despising interruptions.
Thus, everyone was warned not to wander aimlessly or disturb others. After all, no one wanted to make enemies without cause.
"Perfect," Lu Bu thought. "This way, no one will disturb me either…"
"Xiao Bu, what are you thinking about?"
A soft, gentle voice pulled him back to reality. Behind him, a warm and supple figure pressed gently against his back. Xiao Yi Xian rested her delicate head on Lu Bu's shoulder, her beautiful eyes filled with affection.
Lu Bu snapped out of his trance. His muscles tensed, his dazed gaze refocused, and his wandering thoughts abruptly returned to the present.
"Nothing…" Lu Bu replied with a faint smile.
"Then let's continue our dual cultivation," Xiao Yi Xian suggested, her voice sweet and alluring. Her fair, jade like hand gently traced Lu Bu's firm, well defined abs, a mischievous smile forming at the corners of her lips as her fingers roamed.
"I've just been going through the Mating Serpent Secret Art and learned a couple of new techniques…" she whispered playfully, nibbling lightly on Lu Bu's ear.
Lu Bu's breathing quickened. He was intrigued by Xiao Yi Xian's "new knowledge," though… ahem… his interest was purely intellectual. He was simply curious about trying a new approach to their training, nothing more.
Just as the thought crossed his mind, Lu Bu grabbed her wandering hands and quickly said, "Ahem… Xian'er, this kind of dual cultivation is effective, but not very efficient. We should try something different."
Xiao Yi Xian tilted her head, confused. "But I think it's working really well…"
"Ahem… I mean, I want a method that's even more effective and will help us both improve faster," Lu Bu explained seriously.
"How do we do that?" Xiao Yi Xian asked curiously, tilting her head in thought. Was there another way to dual cultivate? Or had Lu Bu discovered a new method?
"Let's go inside, I'll show you!" Lu Bu chuckled mischievously, pulling her into the room. "I'll prepare something special."
As the door closed behind them, Lu Bu flicked his fingers, summoning his purple black Dou Qi. A large wooden tub materialized instantly in the center of the room, wide enough to fit two or three people.
Dou Qi materialization was something even Dou Ling practitioners could achieve. Of course, this wasn't true creation it was merely shaping Dou Qi into the form of known objects. It could only create lifeless tools or objects, nothing more.
As Xiao Yi Xian's curious gaze followed his every move, Lu Bu flicked his wrist. A stream of water poured out from his spatial ring, quickly filling the wooden tub. The sound of the water rippling against the wood echoed softly in the room.
Lu Bu then channeled flames beneath the tub, heating the water. With precise control, he began to refine herbs using his Three Thousand Burning Flame. After about fifteen minutes, a drop of concentrated green liquid, exuding a rich medicinal fragrance, formed in the palm of his hand.
"What's this?" Xiao Yi Xian asked, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
She could tell it was a medicinal bath. After all, she had often used similar methods to cultivate. Back in the Chu Yun Empire, she had even used a medicinal bath to help Lu Bu seal his poison curse, though that incident had led to… complications.
Her cheeks flushed slightly at the memory. Even after all this time, thinking about that particular event still made her heart flutter with embarrassment.
But Lu Bu didn't seem to favor medicinal baths he preferred pills or herbal cuisine. This was the first time Xiao Yi Xian had seen him prepare a medicinal bath.
The green liquid dripped into the tub, instantly dyeing the water a pale jade hue. As the flames beneath the tub continued to burn, steam began to rise, filling the room with a warm and fragrant mist.
"Xian'er, let's soak in the bath before continuing our dual cultivation," Lu Bu suggested, holding her hand gently. "You first."
"Why not soak and dual cultivate at the same time?" Xiao Yi Xian teased, wrapping her arms around his waist with a mischievous smile. She wanted it all!
"Ah… uh…" Lu Bu's face froze as he realized he had overlooked that possibility.
"Perfect! The Mating Serpent Secret Art has some techniques meant for water environments. Let's try them now!" Xiao Yi Xian's soft lips brushed against his cheek as she whispered seductively.
"Haha… Let's go!"
With a playful tug, Xiao Yi Xian pulled Lu Bu into the tub.
Splash!
The water rippled, sending droplets scattering in the air, glistening like jewels in the soft light…
Rainfall Mountain Range, Soul Hall Ruins
The air trembled as a spatial crack split open, and the black and white Sky Lords stepped out one after the other.
Their cold, stern faces darkened further as they surveyed the destroyed hall before them. Scattered across the ground were several corpses, each dressed in the robes of the Soul Hall. Some were headless, others dismembered, with carrion birds and insects feasting on their remains. The stench of death and decay permeated the air.
"Damn Xiao Yan!" White Sky Lord snarled, his killing intent surging. For members of the Soul Hall to be left in such a state was a disgrace a humiliation of the highest order.
"Hmph… One day, I'll flatten the Heavenly Star Mountain Range and bathe the Falling Star Pavilion in blood!" Black Sky Lord growled, his fury evident.
White Sky Lord snorted coldly and waved his sleeve, summoning flames that engulfed the three corpses. In moments, they were reduced to ash.
At the very least, this gave the dead a semblance of dignity.
"Zhai Xing Lao Gui's body isn't here," White Sky Lord remarked, his brows furrowed as his perception swept across the ruins. "Feng Xian doesn't have the strength to force him into using a blood soul transmission. Did he call for reinforcements?"
A moment later, Black Sky Lord flew over, his expression grave. "The Soul Essence is gone. The formation we placed in the deepest chamber has been completely destroyed. Repairing it would be as difficult as rebuilding an entire Earthly Fiend Hall."
"Xiao Yan… it seems this Xiao Yan knows far more than we imagined," White Sky Lord said, his tone dark. A murderous glint flickered in his eyes as his desire to annihilate the Falling Star Pavilion intensified.
"This person has destroyed three of our halls. That he knows about Soul Essence isn't surprising," Black Sky Lord muttered coldly. "But to discover our formation and completely destroy it… it seems Xiao Yan's knowledge runs deeper than expected."
The two exchanged a glance, their killing intent reaching a boiling point.
"This boy cannot be allowed to live!"
"Let's go," White Sky Lord said. "Let's visit the local overlords and see what they know."
Black Sky Lord nodded, and the two vanished into the void. Moments later, they reappeared atop a densely built mountain range on the other side of the Rainfall Mountain Range.
"Scorpion Demon Triad, this is the Soul Hall. We have a matter to discuss," White Sky Lord's voice echoed faintly across the peaks, reaching every corner of the mountain.
Before long, the Scorpion Demon Triad appeared before them. However, Human Scorpion's disheveled state suggested he had been interrupted in the middle of something… less than appropriate.
"What business do you two have with me?" Tian Scorpion asked indifferently, completely ignoring his foolish younger brother.
"Our Soul Hall has been attacked. Could you share some information? For the sake of our neighboring alliance, of course," Black Sky Lord said, bowing slightly with clasped fists.
"Neighborly alliance" was just a pretense for getting free information. Tian Scorpion's eyes flickered at the words before he responded coolly, "The attackers were Feng Xian from Falling Star Pavilion and four others: a swordsman, a young man, and two figures in white robes."
"I couldn't discern their exact strength," Tian Scorpion added with feigned neutrality. If he claimed to know nothing, not only would Soul Hall disbelieve him, but even he wouldn't buy it. As a peak nine turn Dou Zun with near perfect mastery, it was impossible for him to have observed the battle and discerned nothing. Such a claim would only provoke Soul Hall, risking an unnecessary conflict.
"Unclear?" Black and White Sky Lords furrowed their brows simultaneously. These three scorpions were no weaker than the Three Sky Lords of the Soul Hall, and their combined strength rivaled that of the Second Sky Lord. Yet Tian Scorpion had the gall to say he couldn't gauge the strength of a few Dou Zuns? How could this not sound like an excuse?
"There were more than just those five attackers," Earth Scorpion interjected, taking over the conversation. "Besides them, there was a golden puppet with strength rivaling a four or five star Dou Zun, and also a hidden peak nine turn Dou Zun."
"This person's soul strength was immense, no weaker than that of the former Yao Chen. The three of us could never take him on individually."
"What?!"
The words made Black and White Sky Lords' faces change dramatically. A golden puppet? A peak nine turn Dou Zun?
Their suspicions were confirmed: the person responsible for destroying their branch in the northwest and killing the envoy of the Soul Clan was indeed Xiao Yan!
But a peak nine turn Dou Zun?
Such powerful figures were scarce in the Central Plains. Was this a move by one of the two great sects? Or perhaps the Dan Tower?
"Damn it…" Black and White Sky Lords' expressions turned grim. Nine Sky Lord had sent them to make an example, but these five individuals were no easy targets and there was also a hidden peak nine turn Dou Zun lurking in the background.
This had just become a serious problem.
"That's all we know. You may take your leave," Tian Scorpion said curtly, effectively issuing an order to leave.
He wanted nothing to do with Soul Hall's affairs. Their organization was too strange, requiring extreme caution in all dealings.
With that, Tian Scorpion led Earth Scorpion and Human Scorpion back into the depths of their Cloud Rain Sect.
"Wearing clothes is such a hassle… Damn Soul Hall," Human Scorpion muttered, tugging at his ragged garments before tearing them to shreds.
"Hahaha! Big Brother, Second Brother, I'm off to train!" Human Scorpion cackled perversely before kicking open a door, entering a room stark naked.
A moment later, the sound of wailing and sobbing echoed from within. Barely a quarter of an hour passed before Human Scorpion emerged, looking thoroughly dissatisfied and carrying two withered female corpses in his hands. Torn fragments of bright clothing hung from their lifeless bodies.
"So fragile…" he grumbled, tossing the bodies aside before striding toward another room.
Tian Xing Mountain Range, within the Star Realm
In a grand hall, Yao Chen and Xiao Yan sat with heavy expressions, their faces dark with worry.
They had finally found a way to restore Yao Chen's damaged soul essence: either the Soul Infant Fruit or the Heavenly Spirit Dragon Herb. With just one of these rare treasures, they could repair his damaged soul essence.
But both of these items were notoriously difficult to obtain.
Despite activating the intelligence network of the Falling Star Pavilion and utilizing Yao Chen's former connections, most leads turned out to be false, or outright confirmed as dead ends.
After all this time, they still had nothing to show for their efforts.
Bang!
Xiao Yan kicked out angrily, scattering the bamboo slips and ancient texts before him. They crashed noisily against the walls.
"Damn it!"
"Calm down!" Yao Chen frowned, scolding him sharply.
"This is already far better than being trapped in the Soul Hall. We'll figure it out eventually," Yao Chen added, trying to console Xiao Yan despite his own precarious condition.
It was ironic that the one suffering from the issue had to comfort others.
"Do we have to ask Lu Bu again?" Xiao Yan muttered irritably, scratching his head in frustration.
During the raid on the Soul Hall's branch in the Rainfall Mountain Range, Lu Bu had obtained an enormous mass of soul essence. While Xiao Yan hadn't seen it with his own eyes, judging by the sheer number of souls contained in the prison yard, it couldn't have been small.
Every time he sought Lu Bu's help, the man managed to profit from him. Though Xiao Yan ultimately achieved his goals, the lingering frustration was enough to drive him mad.
Why does it feel like I've been living in Lu Bu's shadow this whole time…? Xiao Yan thought, ruffling his hair with a mixture of annoyance and resignation.
"Hmph, just go find him then," Yao Chen grumbled. "What else is there for him to take from us? We've already given him everything worth having."
Indeed, during the time Yao Chen had been captured, Xiao Yan had handed over every trump card he had to Lu Bu. Now, they truly had nothing left.
"Haha…" Xiao Yan laughed awkwardly. Though he had been forced into it, he couldn't shake the feeling of guilt, as though he'd squandered his teacher's treasures without a second thought.
How unfortunate that he was the one responsible for these "losses."
"Let's wait a bit longer," Xiao Yan said finally. After all, the Falling Star Pavilion was still searching. There was hope yet. As for Lu Bu… perhaps he could avoid asking for help a little while longer.
Otherwise, who knew what Lu Bu might demand this time? Even though Xiao Yan couldn't imagine what else he had to offer, it was best to remain cautious.
Saint Dan Mountain Range, within the estate
Lu Bu staggered out of the room, his steps unsteady and his movements sluggish. Wiping his face with a hand, he wasn't sure whether he was drenched in sweat or water from the medicinal bath.
"Finally convinced her… or maybe exhausted her," Lu Bu muttered with a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, he practiced the Azure Sky Dragon Transformation Art. Otherwise, the relentless combination of Xiao Yi Xian's Woeful Poison Body and Medusa's Seven Colored Heaven Swallowing Python might have utterly overwhelmed him.
"Time to deal with that soul essence," Lu Bu said, straightening his posture as he headed into a secret chamber.
Inside lay a pristine white spatial ring, resting silently on a pedestal.
"Lu Bu, you… never mind, I didn't say anything," Tian Huo Zun Zhe muttered, glancing at Lu Bu's drained state before shrugging his shoulders.
"Ahem… Elder Yao, I'll need you to help suppress the soul fluctuations. Don't let anyone sense what's happening here," Lu Bu said, coughing lightly.
"Understood," Tian Huo Zun Zhe replied, nodding as his figure rose, merging into the protective formation Lu Bu had set up.
The estate fell silent as a faint radiance enveloped the area, ensuring nothing unusual would be detected.
Lu Bu nodded in satisfaction, raising his hand. A massive, glowing orb of soul essence nearly 100 meters in diameter materialized in the spacious chamber.
His eyes sharpened as he exhaled deeply, summoning the purple black flames of his Three Thousand Burning Flame to begin refining the orb.
Having refined soul essence twice before, Lu Bu was well aware of how many traps Soul Hall wove into these treasures. Caution was paramount.
While the Soul Hall's resources were extraordinary, they could not be recklessly used.
"I wonder… will this be enough to push my soul into the Heavenly Realm?" Lu Bu mused, staring at the massive orb before him.
(End of Chapter)
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